Dear Readers -- Palomino is back from the Wild Horse and Burro advisory board meeting in Arizona. Here's here message for all who care about our wild horses. Terri

Hi ya’ll. Sorry it has taken so long to get out an update. We are actually in the air on the way home right now. It was a very intense couple of days. I would say it was a success in the fact that many different groups came together as one to try and save our wild horses.

People came with different messages and suggestions, but all with the same need in their heart, to save the horses and stop the roundups.

We had some good interaction with the BLM Advisory Board Members, and heard some really valuable recommendations. We don’t know if they will be followed, but hopefully it is a good start. Many of the items were things that we as advocates have been trying to get accomplished. A few of them were simple, common sense items, if you understand the way a horse thinks. When you hear people talk about a horse “spooking” they are usually talking about when the horse moves quickly away from something that frightens it. It may jump away, take off running, whirl around or stop, rear up and turn around or start bucking. One of the hazards for the mustangs has been the contractor’s coolers, sweatshirts etc. left near or on the fences where the horses are being run in. The horses are already panicked, they see this “predator” in front of them and naturally they freak out and turn around, often trampling or smashing smaller horses or babies. Correcting this problem was one of the recommendations BLM received. Steps like this may not seem important, but it would greatly reduce the stress and injuries that the horses receive and could even save lives.

Simple solutions to tiny steps in this huge problem are available and have been brought to not only the Advisory Board’s attention, but BLM as well. There was heartfelt testimony by the advocates and the ranchers told their side of the issue also. It is always difficult to measure the value of attending a meeting like this, but we definitely feel the financial stress incurred to attend this are worth what was accomplished.

Nearly all the Advisory Board Members and the personnel from the BLM were extremely familiar with Honey Bandit’s story. Because of this, members of the Advisory Board invited me to submit my proposal for improved orphan and critical foal care, as well as my comments. We submitted Honey Bandit’s written story, along with a detailed proposal outlining procedures and solutions that would save more foals. This proposal recommends more public access, a visitor’s observation card, which would allow the public to notify BLM personnel of any animal in distress. This will create a record that cannot be altered and will facilitate systematic follow through actions and feedback. There will be no more he said / she said, all concerns will be documented in triplicate with carbon copies. If a foal dropped, was orphaned or simply thought to be at risk, it would be immediately moved to an appropriate and qualified rescue.

Our purpose in attending this meeting was twofold. To join all advocates in sending the message to Stop The Roundups until appropriate scientific studies prove how many horses are actually left, and to establish a better system for the foal rescue. We accomplished this, at least the first steps, and now we need everyone to contact their Senators and ask them to stop the roundups with the exception of those in emergent situations.

It was hard to be away from Honey Bandit so long. I had a horrible nightmare one night and I called and woke up my poor hubby. I told him about my dream and he looked over and said not to worry, he was just fine. So all is well back in Shingletown. Each small step is a tiny victory in Honey Bandits journey to Stop The RoundUps! God bless you and thank you for your prayers and support.

Palomino & the Gang

p.s. I was given the opportunity to share and submit a proposal to set up We presented a proposal for the foals to be immediately released to the proper care facilities upon discovery as opposed to waiting for their condition to worsen. No more Honey Bandits.